Set in a dystopian future, where the Earth's environment is heavily polluted, the story circles around artificial human-like beings, known as Replicants, which were intended to serve humanity. However some of them don't perform as intended, murder their masters, and flee. Rogue replicants are hunted by a special police unit, the 'blade runners'. While the underlying book circles around the question about the definition of being human the movie focuses more on the creator-creation relationship of these beings to the natural humans.

The film was rated "R" by the MPAA for violence and brief nudity. The film was nominated for two Oscars, Best Art Direction/Set Direction and Best Effects/Visual Effects.